Sonia praises Manmohan, UPA for fulfilling promises

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Showering praise on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which completed four years in office Thursday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said its achievements were commendable. “The prime minister’s work speaks for itself. The achievements enumerated in the report card of the government are not exaggerated or incorrect. It gives the real picture,” Gandhi said in her speech at a dinner hosted at the prime minister’s residence on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the UPA government.

“He has given vision and direction to this government,” Gandhi said.

“Time has proved his leadership is effective,” she said.

Gandhi, who is also chairperson of the UPA, said this year was decisive for the coalition as it goes into its last year in power before the Lok Sabha elections, due by May 2009.

“We have fulfilled most of our promises and people have benefited. Work was speeded up in the neglected areas like health and education.”

She said the coalition could look back with satisfaction that it had fulfilled the promises made to the poor and the weak. “The unfulfilled promises made to the people have to be met,” she added.

She also praised the allies for standing by the coalition.

“Our allies have given up personal gains and have worked with the aim of strengthening the coalition. We will continue to work as a team,” Gandhi said.

The Congress-led UPA, formed on May 22, 2004 under Gandhi’s leadership, hosted a dinner to commemorate completion of four years in office.